--- title: "RAL Space - Quantum Key Distribution - Industry Engagement Day" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-a3c988a6-2094-4962-8e7d-1da6c0a50f11" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a3c988a6-2094-4962-8e7d-1da6c0a50f11" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a3c988a6-2094-4962-8e7d-1da6c0a50f11.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a3c988a6-2094-4962-8e7d-1da6c0a50f11.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED" published: "2019-09-23" --- # RAL Space - Quantum Key Distribution - Industry Engagement Day Buyer: UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-a3c988a6-2094-4962-8e7d-1da6c0a50f11 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a3c988a6-2094-4962-8e7d-1da6c0a50f11) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a3c988a6-2094-4962-8e7d-1da6c0a50f11.json) ## Summary The UK Shared Business Services Limited is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "RAL Space - Quantum Key Distribution - Industry Engagement Day." This initiative falls within the satellite earth stations industry category and is located in the South East of England. A key milestone to note is the engagement end date, set for 11th October 2019. The procurement aims to inform and engage potential suppliers prior to issuing contract notices and encourages registration for the industry engagement day scheduled on 18th October 2019. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in aerospace and technology sectors, particularly those with expertise in satellite platforms, software development, and optical systems. Companies specialising in communications technology, spacecraft manufacturing, and launch services are particularly well-suited to participate. By engaging in this process, businesses can not only showcase their capabilities but also gain insights into emerging collaborative projects between the UK and Singapore, potentially leading to further growth opportunities in secure online communications technology. ## Notice The project "QKD CubeSat" is a collaboration between the Singapore and UK Governments, and could lead to a more secure online activity for consumers in everything from financial transactions to online conversations. The project scope is to build and fly a satellite quantum key distribution (QKD) test bed. Through this collaboration, Singapore and the UK will co-develop a satellite called "QKD Cubesat", a satellite based on the CubeSat standard that will use a pioneering QKD technology to test the secure distribution of cryptographic keys over globe-spanning distances. In the UK, work will be led by the Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) RAL Space facility, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which is responsible for the development of the platform (BUS) and also the optical payload for optical links needed for beaming QKD signals, known as the 'RAL Payload' or 'Optical Payload'. More information about the project can be accessed via the link below: https://stfc.ukri.org/news/uk-and-singapore-collaborate-on-10m-satellite-project/ The areas that will be contracted externally are listed and briefly described below: 1a. Spacecraft Platform (including BUS components and ADCS) The spacecraft platform will be required to house an optical payload. The function of the payload is to produce entangled photons and transmit them to the ground. The satellite platform ADCS needs to be able to accept pointing offset instructions commanded by the satellite payload. Two complete spacecraft platforms will be required: the Qualification Model and the Flight Model. 1b. Software Development The project requires a sizeable software component to operate on the platform on-board computer. In addition to the flight software, ground segment mission control software shall need to be developed as part of the overall mission. The ground segment software should utilise common libraries to simplify the testing and integration process. 2. Fine Steering Mirror To achieve good signal levels, the entangled photons need to be pointed very accurately at the ground station. This is done by using a Fine Steering Mirror (FSM) in the optical payload. This mirror will be operated in a closed loop tracking system. The requirement for the FSM system will cover the mirror mechanism and its drive control electronics. The project will require a minimum of two complete FSM systems. 3. Optical Ground Station - Telescope and Mount The data, timing, polarisation and tracking signals from the satellite will be received by an Optical Ground Station (OGS). The ground station will be required to locate and track the satellite and then conduct spot (satellite beacon) tracking from a camera feed. 4. Launch The launch of the QKD CubeSat is expected around Q1/Q2 2022. Launch options will be required to launch our 6U payload with associated platform to either ISS or SSO orbit. Additional information: UKRI-STFC is interested in engaging with the industry to explain its requirements and offer the opportunity for suggestions or feedback, prior to the publication of Contract Notices for each of its requirements, by means of an industry engagement day. This will be held at a location near Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom on Friday 18th October 2019, starting at 10:00 GMT. Economic operators that are interested in participating may register for the event at the following address: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ral-space-qkd-project-industry-engagement-day-tickets-72675926653 Registration will close at 16:00 GMT on Friday 11th October 2019. Please note that due to venue capacity, attendance is capped at 130 attendees. Attendance will only be permitted with prior registration and places are limited to an initial maximum of 2 attendees per organisation. UKRI-STFC reserve the right to increase or decrease this limit depending on demand. Full details will be released to registered participants once registration has closed. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/43221e79-0bbf-41b7-b242-c47b54f09a84 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 Sep 2019 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 11 Oct 2019 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED | | Locality | SWINDON | | Post town | Swindon | | Postcode | SN2 1FF | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon | | Local authority | Swindon | | Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney | | Westminster constituency | Swindon North | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment - 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 32533000 - Satellite earth stations - 32534000 - Satellite platforms - 34712000 - Spacecraft, satellites and launch vehicles - 35631100 - Communication satellites - 38635000 - Telescopes - 60510000 - Satellite launch services ## Release History - 23 Sep 2019 at 14:46 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/43221e79-0bbf-41b7-b242-c47b54f09a84 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/43221e79-0bbf-41b7-b242-c47b54f09a84 23rd September 2019 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://stfc.ukri.org/news/uk-and-singapore-collaborate-on-10m-satellite-project/ - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ral-space-qkd-project-industry-engagement-day-tickets-72675926653 ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a3c988a6-2094-4962-8e7d-1da6c0a50f11. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a3c988a6-2094-4962-8e7d-1da6c0a50f11.json.